In Pursuit of What ?

In Pursuit of What ?• Therefore if you have been

raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1–2

In Pursuit of What ?

• I. First Pursuit -- seek Christ • A. WORSHIP

• “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb. 10:22-25

In Pursuit of What ?• It has been said, “As

a tear magnifies grief, as laughter magnifies humor, as a smile magnifies joy, so worship magnifies God.” 

In Pursuit of What ?• B. SeekingB. Seeking• The Greek word for “seek” is ζητεω zēteō , The Greek word for “seek” is ζητεω zēteō ,

and it means “to worship (God), or toand it means “to worship (God), or to plot plot (against life); or to desire, to endeavor.” (against life); or to desire, to endeavor.”

• I Cor. 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on I Cor. 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”what is unseen is eternal.”

In Pursuit of What ?• II. Second pursuit -- Higher Thoughts• A. Set the Mind• The Greek word for “set” is φρονέω

phroneō which means “to exercise the mind, to interest oneself in; set the affection on.”

In Pursuit of What ?• Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of

God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritualyour spiritual££ act of worship. Do not conform act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom. 12:1-2perfect will. Rom. 12:1-2

• B. Your Primary Affection• John 10:10b. John 10:10b. I came that they may have life and I came that they may have life and

have it abundantlyhave it abundantly

In Pursuit of What ?

• III. Be Aware of what you are Pursuing• A. Satan wants you to only pursue the

things of the World• 1Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

In Pursuit of What ?• "Whatever things are true, whatever "Whatever things are true, whatever

things are noble/honorable, whatever things are noble/honorable, whatever things, are just/right, whatever things things, are just/right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue/excellence and if there is any virtue/excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise there is anything worthy of praise meditate/dwell on these things" (Phil. meditate/dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8).4:8).

In Pursuit of What ?In Pursuit of What ?

• B. Pursuing things above does not B. Pursuing things above does not mean we will miss out on things on mean we will miss out on things on EarthEarth

• C. Adjusting PrioritiesC. Adjusting Priorities• But seek first his kingdom and his But seek first his kingdom and his

righteousness, and all these righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as things will be given to you as well. ...Mt. 6:33well. ...Mt. 6:33.